Stewardship Weekend

We are still in the final grasp of a hot and sunny meteorological summer, but September brings a wake-up call. By this time, visiting relatives have gone home, schools are in session, swimming pools are closing, and another season of the NFL on FOX has commenced. But what does all this mean for usas Christian Stewards?

 
As we journey through September, parishes begin to teem with plans and signs of new vitality. The parish is where the church lives, and stewards are the life blood of a successful parish. In the parish, we find community and support, liturgy and ritual, sacrament and healing. In the parish, we find a way to give and to receive. On a practical level, fall is the time when parish planning gears up for the season ahead. Now is the time for us – all of us – to prayerfully consider our individual involvement in the life of our parish. How might we serve – and be served? The Christian steward knows participation in the parish is a win-win situation, feeding us as we feed others.
 
Where to begin? Stewardship Directories, which detaileach of our parish ministries and activities, were distributed with last week bulletin. What calls to you? Respond to your deep desire. Maybe you are the party planner who would love to serve on the social committee. Or perhaps you have a heart for helping the bereaved. Are you called to proclaim the word of God as a Lector, or perhaps bring the Eucharist (Communion) to the homebound? Perhaps you like to teach? Consider the role of Catechist in the Religious Education program teaching others about our faith. Possibly you see a ministry missing and would like to propose it. Speak up! This is your opportunity to revitalize the stewardship efforts in our parish.
 
This weekend, our parish will conduct its annual Stewardship Appeal at all masses. Each of us will be given an opportunity tomake a commitment of time and talent to our parishthrougha simple in-pew pledge process. Do not take this invitation for granted. Christian Stewardship is a win-win opportunity in which we learn to welcome the stranger, bring out the best in one another, and encourage discipleship all while experiencing the community and support of others just like you.
 
Now is the perfect time to reflect on where – not “if” –you are called. This is your opportunity to decompress from a busy and fun summer, and to pray about where your own road to discipleship leads you next. If not now, when? If not you, who?